Appliance network with messaging

ABSTRACT

An appliance, communication system, and method thereof for a communicating on a network including an appliance interactive display coupled to an appliance communication module, wherein the appliance communication module is configured to receive a message including an embedded interactive element, and sending a return message that relates to the activation of the embedded interactive element.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/891,738, filed Feb. 8, 2018, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,200,209, onFeb. 5, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/647,382, filed Jul. 12, 2017, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,929,874, onMar. 27, 2018, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.14/973,986, filed Dec. 18, 2015, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,742,581, onAug. 22, 2017, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

Home appliances have user interfaces enabling a user to operate andinteract with the appliance. As technology advances, users areincreasingly interested in the functionality associated with theappliances. Enabling the user to utilize the user interface inappliances beyond typical operation of the appliance can expand thecapability of the appliance. However, typical interaction with the userinterface of the appliance is limited to local usage of the appliance,limiting the functionalities of the appliance to within the local spaceof the user, such as the home or even a particular room within the home.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, the disclosure relates to a home appliance configured toperform a cycle of operation including an appliance interactive displaycoupled to an appliance communication module. A source is incommunication with the home appliance and is configured to send aninteractive message including an embedded interactive element to thehome appliance. The appliance communication module is configured toreceive an interactive message from the source and the embeddedinteractive element is configured to operation a functionality of theappliance. A return message is sent that relates to activation of theembedded interactive element.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method of operating anappliance having an appliance interactive display coupled to anappliance communication module. The method includes: receiving in theappliance communication module an interactive message including anembedded interactive element having a functionality of the applianceembedded into the interactive message; displaying the interactivemessage including the embedded interactive element on the applianceinteractive display; and sending a return message that relates to theembedded interactive element.

In yet another aspect, the disclosure relates to a home applianceconfigured to perform a cycle of operation and connected to a homenetwork including an appliance interactive display coupled to anappliance communication module. The appliance communication module isconfigured to receive an interactive message having an embeddedinteractive element that is configured to operate a functionality of thehome appliance. A return message is sent that relates to activation ofthe embedded interactive element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a network for casting information betweena mobile device and an appliance.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a controller of the appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view of an appliance interactive display having a messagewith an embedded interactive element.

FIG. 4 is a view of the appliance interactive display having a link asthe embedded interactive element.

FIG. 5 is a view of the appliance interactive display having theembedded interactive element near a title section.

FIG. 6 is a view of the appliance interactive display having a responserelated to an interaction with the embedded interactive element.

FIG. 7 is a view of a mobile interactive display illustrating a responsemessage regarding response to the embedded interactive element.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method of communication betweenthe appliance and a mobile device utilizing an embedded interactiveelement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a network 10 according to one aspect ofthe disclosure. The network 10 includes at least one appliance 12, eachappliance 12 having an appliance interactive display 14. The appliances12 can be in communication with a router 16. The router 16 provides forforwarding data between the appliances 12 and the other devices in thenetwork 10. Optionally, the appliances 12 can be part of a home networkor home area network (HAN) for communication with other devices within ahome. The router 16 can be in communication with at least one mobiledevice 18 over the network 10, such as the HAN, and can be incommunication with a communication network 20, such as the Internet or awide area network (WAN). Furthermore, the router 16, and thus theappliances 12, can communicate with the mobile device 18 over thecommunication network 20. The appliances 12 and the mobile device 18 canfurther be in communication with a server 22, being a manufacturerserver, for example.

The appliances 12 of the network 10 can be a home or domestic appliancethat performs a particular job in a home, including those relating tocleaning, cooking, or food preservation. The home appliance, for examplein the case of a dishwasher 12, can include a housing at least partiallydefining a treating chamber (not shown) and having an open faceselectively closed for providing access to the treating chamber. Thetreating chamber can receive one or more article(s), and the appliance12 can treat the article(s) according to a useful cycle of operation.Again, in the case of a dishwasher 12, the treating chamber can receiveone or more dish(es), and the dishwasher 12 can perform a cleaningsystem on the dish(es) in the treating chamber. Other types ofappliances include but are not limited to a refrigerator, a clotheswashing machine, a clothes dryer, a freezer, a range, a stove, an oven,or a cooktop can be used with the network 10. All of these examples ofhome appliances can receive one or more article(s), and can perform auseful cycle of operation on the article(s). Other examples of appliancetypes typically found within a home and which can be used with thesystem include an air conditioner, a water heater, and a pool pump.

The appliances 12 can have an appliance communication module 24. Theappliance communication module 24 can be a receiver, having transmissionand reception capabilities for sending or receiving data over thenetwork 10. The appliance communication module 24 sends and receivesdata or messages, to and from one or more mobile devices or databases.Such messages can include text, short message service (SMS), multimediamessage service (MMS), or other types of messages, or transmit orreceive data in another form that can be translated and displayed as amessage. While it is illustrated that the appliance communication module24 is in direct communication with the router 16, it is contemplatedthat the appliance 12 can be in communication with the mobile device 18or the communication network 20 directly, such as over a cellularnetwork, for example.

While three appliances 12 are shown in FIG. 1, it should be understoodthat the network 10 includes any number of appliances including more orless than three. The appliances 12 can be located within a single homeor at a common location, and some or all can be part of the HAN.

The appliance interactive display 14 can provide users with access andcontrol of the appliances 12 and/or the HAN. Through the applianceinteractive display 14, a user can monitor and control operation of theappliances 12, as well as display additional information received overthe network 10.

The router 16 can be utilized to provide communication from theappliances 12 over the network 10, providing information to a localmobile device 18 over the HAN or to the mobile device 18 remotely, suchas over the communication network 20. The router 16 can operate as aforwarding and translating device, passing information over the network10 or translating data to and from the appliances 12. It should beunderstood that the appliances 12 can alternatively communicationdirectly with the mobile device 18 or the communications network 20,independent of the router 16, such as over a cellular network.

The mobile device 18 can communicate information with and/or respond torequests from the appliances 12 from a remote location, either inside oroutside of the home or HAN. The mobile device 18 can include a datastorage unit for storing data, such as historical usage or operationaldata for the appliances 12 based on information from the appliancecommunication module 24. The mobile device can have a mobile interactivedisplay 26 permitting a user to receive, view, or send informationrelated to the appliances 12. The mobile device 18 can have a mobilecommunication module 28 for communicating with the network 10 such as anantenna or receiver. The mobile communication module 28 sends andreceives messages, to and from one or more appliances. Such messages caninclude text, SMS, MMS, or other types of messages, or transmit orreceive data in another form that can be translated and displayed as amessage. While the mobile device 18 is illustrated and generallydescribed in relation to a mobile phone, it can, for example, comprise asmartphone, a tablet computer, a desktop computer, or a notebookcomputer.

The communication network 20 can be a private or public network, and cantypically be a WAN (wide area network) such as the Internet. Similarly,the HAN can be a private or public network, and can typically be a LAN(local area network). The router 16 forwards data between thecommunication network 20 and the appliances 12. The HAN can have adifferent communication protocol than the communication network 20, inwhich case the router 16 or another device (not shown) can translate thedata sent between the communication network 20 and the HAN between thedifferent communication protocols. The router 16 can be a separatedevice in the HAN, or can be built into one of the appliances 12.

The server 22 can manage the appliance or mobile device's access to acentralized resource or service. The server 22 can connect to thecommunication network 20 via a server communication module 23. Theserver communication module 23 enables wired or wireless connection tothe communication network 20, providing data sharing between the server22 and the appliances 12. For example, the server 22 can be a server fora utility provider or retailer, and can communicate information to thenetwork 10, which can comprise a database. The database can includeparticularized information, such as operational capabilities of aparticular appliance. Furthermore, the server 22 can be a server of amanufacturer of the appliance 12 or some other third-party, and cancommunicate information similar to that of a utility provider orretailer, as well as functional information related to the operation ofthe appliance. The server 22 can also be used to generate data, such asa message, SMS, MMS, or otherwise to be send over the network 10 to theappliance 12. While only one server 22 is shown in FIG. 1, it should beunderstood that the network 10 can include multiple servers 22. Theservers 22 can communicate with one or more utility providers,retailers, or manufacturers via the communication network 20 and, in thecase where the communications network 20 is the Internet, can be thesame communication network.

Additionally, the mobile device 18 can operate over the network 10through the server 22. For example, the mobile device 18 can generateinformation such as a message and transmit the message to the server 22,where the message can be forwarded to the appliance 12.

An appliance communication module 24, such as a transceiver can be usedto connect each appliance 12 to the router 16 and the network 10, andcan be a separate or an external device or it can be carried by or, asshown in FIG. 1, built into the appliances 12. The appliancecommunication module 24 can communicate with the network 10 by awireless or wired connection. The appliance communication module 24 isassociated with the appliance 12 for both sending and receiving signalssent via the communication network 20 or the mobile device 18.

Appliances 12 have increasing scopes of functionality with advances intechnology, being able to provide the user a more involved interactionat the appliance interactive displays 24. For example, a user canreceive weather, media, or similar information displayed on theappliance interactive display 24. The increased functional capabilitiesof the appliances 12 provides for the potential to utilize an appliance12 beyond typical operational parameters and cycles of operation inwhich the appliance 12 was originally intended.

Turning now to FIG. 2, a controller 30 for the appliances 12 isillustrated. The controller 30 controls the operation of the appliance12 to implement one or more cycles of operation. The controller 30 canbe located within one or more of the appliances 12 and be operablycoupled with a control panel or the appliance interactive display 14 forreceiving user-selected inputs and communicating information to theuser. The appliance interactive display can include operational controlssuch as dials, lights, switches, and displays enabling a user to inputcommands, such as a cycle of operation, to the controller 30, andreceive information. The appliance interactive display can, for example,include at least one display 38 and at least one selector or button 40.The display 38 can include lights or other discrete indicators withaccompanying text, or a graphical user interface, such as a touchscreen. The button 40 can include a push button, switch, or dial on theappliance interactive display 14 that a user physically actuates, or avirtual button on a graphical user interface, such the display 38.Alternatively or in addition, the appliance interactive display 14 canbe used as a user interface for the appliance 12, and can be coupledwith the controller 30. Options provide for the user to select orcontrol how the appliance 12 operates and reacts input commands oroptions. Such selections are made at the appliance 12, through theappliance interactive display 14. Additionally, these selections,operative states, or other information transmits from the appliance 12via the appliance communication module 24.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the controller 30 has a memory 34 and acentral processing unit (CPU) 36. The memory 34 can include any suitablecomputer-readable media. The memory 34 can store communication softwareconfigured to effect communication between the controller 30 and thenetwork 10, such as the HAN or the communication network 20. The memory34 also stores control software configured to effect one or more cyclesof operation by the appliances 12. Examples, without limitation, ofcycles of operation in the case of a dishwasher 12 include: Smart Wash,Pots/Pans, Normal Wash, China/Gentle, Fast Wash, and Quick Rinse. TheCPU 36 can execute the communication and control software. The memory 34also stores information, such as a database or table, and stores datareceived from one or more components of the appliance 12 andcommunicates the information to the controller 30. The database or tablestores the various operating parameters for the one or more cycles ofoperation, including factory default values for the operating parametersand any adjustments to them effected by the control system or by userinput.

The controller 30 operably couples with one or more components of theappliance 12 for communicating with and controlling the operation of thecomponent to complete a cycle of operation. For example, in the case ofa dishwasher as the appliance 12, the controller 30 can be operablycoupled with a heater 42 for heating wash liquid during a cycle ofoperation, a drain pump 44 for draining liquid from the treatingchamber, a recirculation pump 46 for recirculating wash liquid during acycle of operation, a dispenser 48 for dispensing a treating agentduring a cycle of operation, one or more valve(s) 50 for controlling theflow of liquid or air through the treating chamber, and one or moresensor(s) 52 to control the operation of these and other components toimplement one or more of the cycles of operation. Non-limiting examplesof a sensor 52 that can be communicably coupled with the controller 30include a temperature sensor and a turbidity sensor to determine thesoil load associated with a selected grouping of dishes, such as thedishes associated with a particular area of the treating chamber. In thecase of other types of home appliances, the controller 30 operablycouples with components typical to such appliances that are commonlycontrolled.

Similar to the appliance 12, the mobile device 18 can have a controller30 being similar to that of FIG. 2. The controller 30 operates themobile device 18 and implements control or operational software used inoperation of the mobile device 18. The mobile device 18 can generate andsend a message from the mobile device 18, such as a text message, SMS,MMS, or from a website or application.

Each of the appliance 12 and the mobile device 18 can utilize thecontroller 30 to display and run an application. The application cancomprise software executed by the CPU 36 and stored in the memory 34.The appliance interactive display 14 or the mobile interactive display26 displays the application while running. The application can includefeatures or functionalities that a user can interact with at a userinterface with the mobile or appliance interactive displays 14, 26.

Turning now to FIG. 3, an exemplary appliance interactive display 14 isillustrated having a title section 110 and an operational section 112.The title section 110 can have a display window 114 showing generalinformation such as the time and date. The operational window 112 candisplay a message 116 having an embedded interactive element 118. Themessage 116 can be a text message, SMS, or MMS message or data receivedat the appliance 12 translated as a message 116.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the message is sent from the mobiledevice 18 or the server 22, when the mobile communication module 28 orthe server communication 23 is in communication with the appliancecommunication module 24. The message 116, for example, can be a textmessage from a user, sent from the mobile device 18. In another example,the message can be generated on an application on the mobile device 18.The message 116 can have non-interactive details, such as text, images,audio, or video. The message 116 further includes an embeddedinteractive element 118. The embedded interactive element 118 cancomprise a functionality embedded into the message 116. Thefunctionality can relate to the operation of the appliance 12, such as acycle of operation as well as particular parameters related to thecycle. In the example shown, the appliance 12 can be an oven. Theembedded interactive element 118 can be activated by the user, such asby pushing the embedded interactive element 118 on a touch screen. Uponactivating the embedded interactive element 118, the appliance operatesaccording to the embedded interactive element's functionality, such asto preheat the oven to 425-degrees as illustrated in FIG. 3. Uponactivating the embedded interactive element 118, the oven begins to heatto 425-degrees and can be preheated for cooking.

Furthermore, activation of the embedded interactive element 118 caninitiate a return message from the appliance 12. The return message canbe based upon user inputs. The response message can be sent to thesource of the initial message, being the mobile device 18 or the server22, informing the sender of reception of the message.

While FIG. 3 is illustrated relating to an oven, it is contemplated thatthe embedded interactive element 118 can be displayed on any appliance.Additionally, while it is illustrated as preheating an oven to425-degrees, the embedded interactive element 118 can be directed toperforming any cycle of operation or any other functionality within theappliances capabilities. One additional example can include starting adefrost cycle for a refrigerator or refrigerated compartment therein.

In a second example shown in FIG. 4, a message 128 can be displayedwithin the title section 110. The message 128 can be a text-basedmessage having an embedded link 130 as the embedded interactive element118. A user can activate the embedded link 130, for example, by touchingthe embedded link 130 on a touch screen. Activation of the embedded link130 serves to direct the appliance to perform a functionality based uponthe embedded interactive element 118. In the example shown in FIG. 4,activating the embedded link 130 instructs the appliance to displayinformation related to a new swimwear cycle for a washing machine or todownload additional software related to functional operation of aswimwear cycle for a washing machine. Additionally, activation of thelink can serve to begin a cycle of operation on the appliance, such asstarting a wash cycle on the washing machine. The operational section112 can display other screen content 132, such as standard operationalfunctionalities or information related to typical operation of theappliance 12.

Turning to FIG. 5, the display window 114 can also display a messagecomprising embedded interactive elements 140, 142 as feedback orresponse functionalities. As illustrated, the embedded interactiveelements 140, 142 can be responsive to a message sent to the appliance.For example, a dinner message can be sent to the appliance withpotential responses, illustrated at “Yum!” and “Thank You!” forproviding feedback related to a particular task or operation that wascompleted, related to the appliance 12. In the example shown, an ovencan display responsive embedded interactive elements 118 relating to acompleted dinner cooked in the oven. The responses can be utilized asfeedback information particular to a user, the appliance, or theparticular operation performed by the appliance, such as cooking aparticular meal. The appliance 12 can transmit the feedback to themobile device 18 or the server 22 when the mobile communication module28 or server communication module 23 is in communication with theappliance communication module 24. For example, a user can press “ThankYou!” to send a message to a cook's mobile device 18 showingappreciation for the meal. Alternatively, selection of the “Yum!” buttoncan transmit data to a database providing a rating for the meal that wascooked.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 6, an appliance can display a responsemessage 150 based upon operating the embedded interactive element 118.For example, when a user selects the “Thank You!” button, the responsemessage 150 displays the operation of the embedded interactive element.Alternatively, the message 150 can be sent to a mobile device 18 fordisplaying the response message 150 being activated on the appliance 12.It is further contemplated that the response message 150 can bedisplayed on a third-party platform, such as social media or a blog.

Furthermore, it is contemplated that the embedded interactive element118 can be acknowledging of a user performed task related to theparticular appliance. For example, the message can include aninstruction to an elderly relative to remove an item from the freezer todefrost. Upon completion of removal of the frozen item, the elderlyrelative can activate the embedded interactive element 118, sending areturn message to the sender that the frozen item has been removed todefrost.

It should be understood that FIGS. 3-6 are by way of example,illustrating an appliance receiving a message with an embeddedinteractive element 118, displaying a message based upon interactionwith an embedded interactive element 118, or activating a functionalityof an appliance based upon an embedded interactive element 118 disposedwithin a message. It should be further understood that the conceptsdiscussed herein are not so limited and have applicability in aplurality of appliances 12 and can be displayed in multiple differentways. Additionally, the functionalities of the embedded interactiveelement 118 are not limited to the examples as described,functionalities can include, but are not limited to, particularfunctionalities of the appliance, such as a cycle of operation or asetting, displaying information to a user, updating, downloading,installing, or modifying the software of a particular appliance, orproviding feedback to a user of the appliance or from the appliance to aremote user on a mobile device 18 or a server 22.

Turning to FIG. 7, the mobile device 18 can also display a returnmessage 204 relating to the operation of the embedded interactiveelement 118 or a lack of activation of the embedded interactive element118. The return message 204 can also have a signature 206, related tothe particular appliance 12 from which the message originated. Forexample, in FIG. 7, if the embedded interactive element 118 of FIG. 3was not activated, the oven can send a return message 204 to the mobiledevice 18 stating that the oven has not been preheated to 425-degrees.This return message 204 can be based upon a particular time in which theembedded interactive element 118 has not been activated, which can be 60minutes or can be configured by the user. The return message 204 canalso contain related information such as when the message was sent orwhat operation the embedded interactive element 118 was related to innon-limiting examples. Furthermore, the return message can comprise alist or review of completed tasks related to the activation of one ormore interactive elements 118 among one or more appliances 12.

Alternatively, the return message 204 can be representative of commentsor feedback from a user entered through the embedded interactive element118. For example, if the “Yum!” embedded interactive element 140 of FIG.5 is activated, the return message 204 can be sent to the mobile device18 stating that a user has responded to the meal with “Yum!”

Turning now to FIG. 8, a method 210 for communicating among at least oneappliance, server, and mobile device is illustrated. The at least oneappliance 12 can have an appliance interactive display 14 and anappliance communication module 24, the server 22 can have a servercommunication module 23, and the mobile device 18 can have a mobileinteractive display 26 and a mobile communication module 28. The method210, at 212, comprises sending a message having an embedded interactiveelement 118 from at least one of the mobile device 18 or server 22 tothe at least one appliance 12. The message can comprise a text message,SMS, MMS, or similar message, as well as generated data that displayedon the appliance interactive display 14 as the message. The message canbe generated at a user interface designed with the mobile device 18 orthe server 22, or can be generated via an application which can beoperated on the mobile device 18 or the server 22.

At 214, the appliance interactive display 24 displays the message andembedded interactive element 118. The appliance interactive display 24displays the message and embedded interactive element 118 in any mattersuitable for identification by a user local to the appliance 12 andsuitable for interaction with the embedded interactive element 118.

At 216, a local user interacts with the embedded interactive element118, such as pushing or touching the embedded interactive element 118 ona touch screen comprising the appliance interactive display 24. Uponinteraction with the embedded interactive element 118, the appliance 12sends a return message 204 in response to the mobile device 18 or server22 from which the message originated. The appliance 12 can also send analert message as the return message 204 if the embedded interactiveelement 118 is not activated or has not been activated within apredetermined time. The alert message can contain details or informationthat the embedded interactive element 118 has not been activated.

The embedded interactive element 118 can be executed a function of theappliance 12, such as a cycle of operation. Additionally, the embeddedinteractive element 118 can be a link, which, upon activation, candownload an application or functionality for the appliance or start acycle of operation.

To the extent not already described, the different features andstructures of the various embodiments can be used in combination witheach other as desired. That one feature may not be illustrated in all ofthe embodiments is not meant to be construed that it may not be, but isdone for brevity of description. Thus, the various features of thedifferent embodiments can be mixed and matched as desired to form newembodiments, whether or not the new embodiments are expressly described.All combinations or permutations of features described herein arecovered by this disclosure. It should be appreciated that theaforementioned method can be used within alternative appliances.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and to enable any person skilled in the art topractice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and can include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A communication system comprising: a home appliance configured to perform a cycle of operation including an appliance interactive display coupled to an appliance communication module; and a source in communication with the home appliance configured to send an interactive message including an embedded interactive element to the home appliance; wherein the appliance communication module is configured to receive the interactive message from the source and the embedded interactive element is configured to operate a functionality of the appliance; and wherein a return message is sent that relates to activation of the embedded interactive element.
 2. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the source is one of a mobile device or a server.
 3. The communication system of claim 2 wherein the source receives the return message.
 4. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the home appliance receives the interactive message from at least one of a mobile device or server.
 5. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the return message is sent from the home appliance.
 6. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the return message is an alert message that the embedded interactive element has not been activated.
 7. The communication system of claim 6 wherein the alert message is sent after a predetermined time.
 8. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the embedded interactive element includes a link to download an application or start the cycle of operation.
 9. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the embedded interactive element is displayed at the appliance interactive display.
 10. A method of operating an appliance having an appliance interactive display coupled to an appliance communication module, the method comprising: receiving in the appliance communication module an interactive message including an embedded interactive element having a functionality of the appliance embedded into the interactive message; displaying the interactive message including the embedded interactive element on the appliance interactive display; and sending a return message that relates to the embedded interactive element.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the return message is sent when the embedded interactive element is activated.
 12. The method of claim 10 wherein the return message is sent from the appliance.
 13. The method of claim 10 wherein the return message is sent to a source of the interactive message.
 14. The method of claim 10 wherein the sending the return message is initiated by user input received at the appliance interactive display.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the user input is activation of the embedded interactive element.
 16. A home appliance configured to perform a cycle of operation and connected to a home network comprising: an appliance interactive display coupled to an appliance communication module; wherein the appliance communication module is configured to receive an interactive message having an embedded interactive element that is configured to operate a functionality of the home appliance; and wherein a return message is sent that relates to activation of the embedded interactive element.
 17. The home appliance of claim 16 wherein the interactive message is sent from a source.
 18. The home appliance of claim 16 wherein the return message is sent from the home appliance. 